New Year's Starts & WIPs

Like lots of folks I like to start something new on New Year's Day.  This year I had a false start.  I hope it's not an indication of things to come this year.  So what did I start you ask?  Check it out!

Progress as of 1-12-15

I present to you, "Speak to the Earth" by Donna Kooler Designs.  It's available as a pdf download if you are interested.  It's nice when you can get the chart instantly like that.  I printed mine on card stock so it will hold up better.

I had originally started this on 40 ct. exemplar but the colors were just not playing nice with the fabric.  Plus there's a good bit of over one stitching on this and I didn't really feel like fiddling with that so I ordered different fabric.  I decided to go with 36 ct. in light mocha which is the color I used for the Parrots.  I like it much better!  So stay tuned, you'll be seeing more of this one this year since a group of the peeps and I are doing it as a SAL.

Progress as of 1-12-15

Since I had to wait for my fabric to come and I was in the mood for a new start, I decided to root around in the basket o'joy.  This one has been in there since I started stitching again back in 2009!  It's by Just Nan and it's the needlebook from the "Common Ground" chart.  There are other pieces to it but I think I may just do the needlebook.  We'll see...

It's done on 28ct. tattersall with DMC.  This is the first time I've worked with tattersall and I really like it.  It's easy to count and find your place on it.  I just love the color pallet on this project.  The finishing doesn't sound too terribly hard either so it should go well.

~*~*~*~

Progress as of 1-12-15

I'm also carrying a couple WIPs into the new year.  As much as I would have liked to finish the Snooty Parrots before the year was over, it just didn't happen.  As you can see, I'm getting closer.  This will be going to the retreat with me this weekend.

I don't think I ever posted a picture of this one.  I did mention it in my TUSAL recap though.  This is called "Quaker Heart" from Piecework Magazine.  I started stitching it on the airplane ride to Utah.  I got side one done while we were there and started side two.  I'm hoping to maybe get this one done before Valentine's day so I can display it.  Maybe it will go with me to the retreat too.

Progress as of 11-8-14

These two are the main ones I'd like to see finished soon.  I'd also like to get back on "I Sigh Not for Beauty" and get it done this year.  It's languished long enough.  If only I could just stitch all day long.  Sounds lovely to me!

Thanks for visiting with me today.  I'm looking forward to sharing my progress after the retreat.  I know I'll be able to move these along with all that uninterrupted stitching time.  Yippee!!

More later,

The Inspired Stitcher

Catching up...

Hello friends!  As you probably noticed, I've been offline for a bit.  I really needed to recharge and just take a break.  This last year really whooped my tail.  Besides, holiday time is so good for that kind of thing.

There's so much I need to catch you up on since our last proper visit.  Let's see if I can recap without this getting too lengthy.

The guild had it's annual Christmas party on the 13th.  There was so much beautiful show and tell to drool over due to the guild's Quaker Challenge.  I'll let you read about it over at Ellen's blog.  She did a really nice recap post shortly after the event.

I do want to share a couple special things here with you though.  Firstly, my contribution to the challenge.  I started stitching "Quaker Faith" back in January last year as my New Year's start.  I'm pleased to share that it's now actually framed and completed.  Check it out!

 Sorry for the dark picture.  I was trying not to get a glare on the glass.

Check out the corner close up below!

Design: Quaker Faith

Designer: Little by Little

Fabric:  35ct. Jackalope

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  1/1/14

Finished:  8/10/14

Framed: 11/29/14

Special thanks goes to Melissa over at Words and Blooms for offering this as a giveaway and for pulling my name as the lucky winner!  Also, thanks goes to Nancy C. for suggesting the Quaker challenge.  It prompted me to pull this lovely out and work on it.  This challenge had the most participation we've had since I joined the group!  And last but certainly not least, thanks to Barb and Joe at Keepsakes for the beautiful framing.  You two make everything look spectacular!

~*~*~*~

Keeping with sharing special things from the guild party, here's the ornament I stitched for my Secret Stitcher.  This was for the person I'd been sending to all year.

Design:  Faith (2014 JCS Ornaments)

Designer:  Nickyscreations

Fabric:  28ct. Natural

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  9/12/14

Finished:  9/26/14

Completed: 12/8/14

This year we didn't do the traditional reveal we usually do but did a more informal one.  Turns out my person sat next to me.  I expected she would be at my table anyway because my person was my peep Linda!  Yep, it was really hard to keep that secret all year long.  LOL!  She said she had no idea it was me.  Too funny!  Linda, I really enjoyed sending you packages this year.  I'm glad I was your Secret Stitcher.  Love ya!

Design: Merry Christmas (2013 JCS Ornaments)

Designer: My Big Toe Designs

Fabric:  32ct. Cream

Floss:  WDW & DMC

Started:  11/16/14

Finished:  11/30/14

Completed:  11/30/14

This is the ornament I stitched for the person who had been sending me my Secret Stitcher packages all year long.  I like to stitch something as a thank you for all her thoughtfulness.  Turns out my person was Pam S.  I just love that girl...she "gets" me.  Pam, I loved all the packages you sent me.  You made my day each and every time!

I'm going to do a separate post to share all the beautiful gifts I received at the party and during the holiday season.  They really deserve their own post!  Stay tuned for that.

The guild has sadly decided to do away with Secret Stitcher this year due to lack of interest.  However, that's not going to stop me.  Nope, I've decided I'm going to RAK (Random Act of Kindness) folks this year.  I love surprises and I figure other folks do too.  It's going to be so much fun!

 ~*~*~*~

 This holiday season I had the good fortune of being able to get together with the peeps more than once for stitching and visiting.  The Friday before Christmas the peeps got together for a stitchy party.  We didn't do much stitching that night but more eating, visiting and exchanging of gifts.  It was such a fun evening.  Here's a picture of the table filled with the haul!

There was so much on that table, I couldn't fit it all in.  LOL!  I really have some thoughtful peeps.  More on that later...

~*~*~*~

Then there was getting together with my quilty peeps the Monday before Christmas.  We've taken to going to a local BBQ restaurant for our get together.  That way nobody has to clean house.  Tee hee!  It was nice to get to visit with those girls too.  We still get together once a month at one of our homes to work on our current projects.  We are down to the four of us now and a couple of us don't really quilt much anymore but we still enjoy each other's company just the same.

~*~*~*~

Then there was Christmas!  This year was pretty low key for us.  We did our traditional Christmas Eve with my honey's side of the family.  Always a yummy meal cooked by my MIL and SIL.  The actual holiday was really low key for us this year.  Just my honey, Shelby and I hanging at the house.  My folks were both sick with the flu that everyone is getting so we didn't see each other till my birthday/their anniversary.

~*~*~*~

Then came my birthday four days later.  It too was pretty low key.  As I mentioned, my folks came down for a little visit.  It was nice to see them even though I could tell they were not 100% yet.

Oddly enough, this year I didn't get much in the way of stitchy things.  My honey did get me a gift certificate to Keepsakes for stash enhancement at the upcoming retreat.  He's a keeper, that one!

~*~*~*~

Then the stitchy peeps had an impromptu sit and stitch the day after my birthday since the majority of us had the holidays off.  There were a couple that couldn't make it.  Although one kept our phones dinging like slot machines with her group texts.  LOL!  I decided to work on the Parrots that day.  I hadn't shown them any love for a while.  No, I didn't finish them before the new year.  I'm hopeful they'll be a finish in 2015.

~*~*~*~

My final visit for 2014 was on New Year's Eve with one of my quilty peeps, Mary.  She invited me over for tea at elevenses.  She puts up three separate feather trees and wanted me to see them before she took them down.  One is a white tree she decorates with heart ornaments and leaves up until February!  Sadly, I didn't get a picture.  It never crossed my mind.  We were too busy visiting.

Later that evening, we rang in the New Year just the two of us...well and Shelby.  I was pulling floss and fabric for a couple new starts.   As well as winding DMC onto bobbins. I have a goal to get my entire stash of DMC wound eventually.  Yes, we really set the world on fire at our house...such partyers we are.  LOL!  And that folks, is how I ended my year.

~*~*~*~

As you can tell there was a lot of socializing done during the holidays.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.  Thanks for sticking with me on this lengthy post.  Believe me, it could have been much longer.   I'll be back with more year end wrap up soon.  Gotta go download some pictures!


Happy New Year everyone!

The Inspired Stitcher

Quaker Faith - DONE!!!

I am so happy to report that my absence from the blog was because I've had my nose to the grindstone finishing up my Quaker Faith!  I made some more progress on it at the LNS first Friday stitch-in and decided I just needed to buckle down and finish it already.  So that's what I did!

Here's my progress on 7/14/14

Here's where I was Saturday around noon.

Design:  Quaker Faith

Designer:  Little by Little

Fabric: 35 ct. Jackalope

Floss: DMC as charted

Started: 1/1/14

Finished: 8/10/14

To be framed...

Here it is finished as of about 9:30 last night!  I changed the initials on the right side to reflect those of my parents and paternal grand parents.  It seemed fitting to honor them.  I left the "P" on the left to represent my honey.

A special thanks goes to Melissa over at Words and Blooms. I had entered her giveaway back in 2012 and found out on 5/8/12 that I'd won this kitted chart!  So I wouldn't have stitched this beauty if it weren't for Melissa's generosity!  Thank you so much, Melissa!!!

This finish also serves a dual purpose too.  I am now finished with my commitment for the local Queen City Sampler Guild's Quaker challenge!  Now all I have to do is get to the LNS to get her framed.

This finish kicked my week off to a great start.  I'm going to get back on the Parrots now and I've even started thinking about Christmas ornaments.  I can truthfully say that after committing myself to three BAPs this year, I'm going to try not to do that again.  I really do miss my smalls and ornaments.  Live and learn!

I hope everyone has a great week!  Summer is sadly winding down but I'm looking forward to the Shepherd's Bush Retreat in October so it's not all bad!  Have a good one and thanks for stopping by to see me today.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Saturday Stitch-in and Quaker Faith progress

Saturday was an outstanding day at the QCSG all day stitch-in.  We had a guest lecturer who brought all kinds of neat needlework necessities, tools and toys for us to all drool over. It was absolutely fascinating!  Most of them were from the 1700's and 1800's.  I took a ton of pictures so I'll let them speak for themselves and chime in where I can.

The bonnet girls had hand drawn faces and the box in the lower left was a child's needlework box.

The two shell shaped pieces were referred to as etuis and held small tools.  The box in the back had secret compartments.

I absolutely fell in love with this chatelaine!  In addition to the watch there is a scissor holder, needle case, thimble holder and pad of paper!

I love these turned wood pieces.  The box in the lower left was made by a sailor from shells collected during his travels.  The basket in the back was a family piece.

I loved all these tiny things especially the needle cases.

 Who would ever look at a walnut shell and think tool holder?  Apparently someone did!

 



 I love the spool holder on the right.  You pull the pins up and load the spools onto them.  The pincushion on the top is worked in bead embroidery!

 These were all made of either bone or ivory.  The carving was amazing!

These were called "third hand" tools.  They were used to hold fabric and clamped to a table top.

All of these were metal and came from England.  I love the chick and the bunny. They were tape measures.

The inlay woodwork was stunning on this box.  You lift out the tray and stow your project underneath!  Wouldn't that be a fun way to travel with your needlework project.

This was my absolute favorite of all.  It's French and was made by more than one crafts person.  Just look at that exquisite embroidery and those breath taking tools.  Swoon!

 

Edited:  Rae over at Reconstructed Fabulousness helped me remember what this particular box was called.  It's a Palais Royal (click here for more info).  The tiny pansy hallmark is a dead giveaway!  I'm adding some additional pictures for your viewing pleasure below!

 

This is the pansy hallmark to look for that identifies them as Palais Royal.  The word pansy in French means remembrance.

 

I was so amazed by the craftsmanship in all these tiny treasures when thinking about the technology back when they were made.  Everything done by hand and with such attention to detail.  There are simply no words.  Wow!

 

~*~*~*~

I didn't get very good pictures of the show and tell table but we were able to lay out the three Snooty's and get a group picture!  On the left is Ellen's finished piece.  She had her framer bring it so we could take the picture.  In the middle is J's piece almost done and then you all have seen mine recently.  It was fun to see them all together.

 

I chose to work on my Quaker Faith for the day.  I hadn't touched it since at least April.  I decided it was high time to do something on it.  I managed to finish the church and a wee start on a motif in the lower right corner (that brown squiggle).  I really don't have that much to go on it and should just buckle down and get on with it already. LOL!

 

~*~*~*~

 

 

Ever had your car just pull into a place like an invisible force field is sucking it in?  Yep, that's what happened to me.  On my way home I got sucked into stopping at the Half-Price Books store.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Something just told me to pop in and see what was there.  Boy, am I glad I did!  I've been watching the top book for ages on the bay of evil.  The second one just looked interesting.  The other cool thing was I paid even less than the sticker price because have a discount card.  One of the perks of my job! 

So yep, it was an outstanding day all around...cool lecture, fun show and tell, progress made and new books!  I hope you enjoyed seeing all the juicy things we saw on Saturday.  I just love days like that!

Well folks, I hope you all have a good week and get to make some progress too.  I need to get packing for my trip later this week.  I've got my stitch bag almost packed and need to do the usual other stuff you do to get ready to leave.  I'm so excited!  I promise I'll come back with a full report!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

All day stitch-in, progress and a finish

Last Saturday our guild hosted an all day stitch-in.  It was a really nice day to get out and go stitching.  We saw lots of beautiful things being worked on that day.  Our show and tell theme was spring and/or spring holidays.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and chime in where I can!

Most of these were my buddy, Marsha's.

See our shamrocks!  I love the ric-rac on Marsha's pillow.

 

I love the "He is Risen" piece!  My friend, Nancy did that one. 

She said it's really old.  I think it's really lovely!

My friend, Meem did this one.  She said she had quite a time finding that hardware.

This is another one of Marsha's and I've fallen in love with it.

I watched Ms. Peggi work on this all last year!  It is Just Cross Stitch's anniversary piece.

This is one by my buddy, Linda.  You can't tell in the picture but the mermaid has a ruby in her belly button!

 

~*~*~*~

Our guild is also doing an optional Quaker challenge.  We were asked to pick a Quaker chart and let the newsletter editor know our chart's name as well as fabric and floss choices.  Progress updates will be published in the guild newsletter throughout this year.  We've already had a few completions!

Ta da!  Our very first Quaker finish!  It's also by my buddy Linda.  She said she started this in January and worked on it during all those snowy days we've had.  It's so pretty!

This one was done by Pat A.  I've contemplated this one for years!  It's in my stash.  Someday!

Here's the progress I've made on mine.  I've completed the left side and am now working on the bottom section.

I also had a finish! I worked on this at the stitch-in and finished it up on Sunday morning.  This is La D Da's Name - Tag class piece.   I loved stitching that bottom section.  The floss that came in the kit is called Planet Earth Silk.  I really liked working with it.  It didn't shred or fuzz at all.  Very nice!  Now I'm ready for next month's class!

~*~*~*~

Well friends, we've officially made it to spring...at least the calendar said so yesterday! So far the air is still cold and the sun is warm.  I have seen green leaves poking up in my flower beds and that gives me hope.  Have a good weekend everyone!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Quaker Faith progress

Last night I got together with some of my quilting friends.  We try to get together once a month and rotate between each other's houses.  Our little group started out as just a quilting group.  However, these past few years a couple of us have branched out and tried some new things.  On any given gathering someone may be knitting, crocheting, mending, stitching and at least one of us will be quilting something.  It really doesn't matter what we are working on as long as we get together.  Of course, we solve the problems of our worlds while enjoying each other's company too.

I took my Quaker Faith with me to work on and made some good progress.  This project has become my lunch time stitch and was already in my bag when I left the house.  It occurred to me this morning that I hadn't shown a progress update since Stitchaway.  Time to remedy that!

Progress as of 1/18/14

Progress as of 2/25/14

This one is moving along pretty quickly.  I'm really liking the colors in it and they will go nicely in my living room.  I'm about halfway done with the right side already.  Then I'll move onto the left and there's a little bit to do underneath the middle.  Right now I really like the botanical thing near my initials and of course the acorn on the right.

As you can tell from my last post, I'm already thinking about my next lunch time project.  I still haven't decided yet.  I'm having fun dreaming about it while stitching this one.  I bet you do that too!

Well folks, it's a quick one today.  Thank you all for stopping by.  I hope you have a good week!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Stitchaway Retreat part 2

*** "Heads up" this is a picture heavy post.  Woo Hoo!!! ***

I'm back!  It's time to share all the stitchy goodness that was Show and Tell!   It never ceases to amaze me how much talent fills the room at Stitchaway.  Wow!  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and chime in when I can.  Let's get right to the good stuff!

This was the stitcher's first linen piece!  Pretty awesome.

This one was done by my friend, Susan.  I've admired it from the first time I saw it.  I'm so proud of her for finishing this up so quickly.  It was stitched in honor of a friend who died of cancer.  Susan generously gifted me with her used chart after Show and Tell.  I am so touched by your gift, dear friend!  Thank you again.

This was done by one of the girls from our table for her son's wedding sampler.  The happy couple lives in Alaska.

I'm sure you recognize these two Foster brothers (mine and Marsha's).  Laying on the table is Marsha's finished Mary's Sampler.  Love the frame she chose!  The local LNS is going to display all the Foster brothers together in the shop soon.  It's going to be awesome!

Sorry for the funky glare!

These were stitched by a group of friends!  I love how they all look so different.

This one was done by my guild friend, Sue B.  She had one of the Stitchaway attendees translate the words into Spanish for her last year.  It was one of our guild's class projects.

Some of these were done by one of our youngest Stitchaway attendee!  I didn't catch her age but I'm guessing she was probably still in elementary school.  Love to see a young one stitching!  You go girl!

This piece was done at the LNS anniversary getaway in Cape Cod last year.  It's a Jeannette Douglas piece.  Love everything about this one!

This one was done by the stitcher our LNS owner affectionately calls "Turbo."

 

Another Turbo piece.

And the final piece, another Turbo.  I love this one!  My mom would too.

~*~*~*~

To continue the stitchy goodness, here's my progress on the projects I brought to stitch.  A couple of them I know you've not seen yet!

 

I was able to get all the next row's boxes done and started "O is for Owl!"  I just love those eyes.  I've actually gotten a bit farther on this one since last weekend.  I'll show that in it's own post soon!

This was going to be an ornament but I didn't get very far with it.  It's from the 2013 JCS Christmas Ornaments issue.  It's called "Frosty Flake" by Needle Bling Designs.  I'm using the called for DMC and a piece of 25 ct. Lugana stitched one over one.

 

This is my New Year's Day start.  Our guild is doing a Quaker challenge this year and this is my piece.  It's called "Quaker Faith" by Little by Little Designs.  I actually won this two years ago from Melissa at Words and Blooms' blog!  Thank you again, Melissa.  I'm really enjoying this stitch.  I've actually made more progress on this one too since last weekend.  It's become my lunch time stitch.

~*~*~*~

Well folks, once again I've become windy.  I'll save the rest for the next time.  As you can tell, the getaway was full of eye candy and there was even some stitching accomplished!  Yay!

Thanks for stopping by for a peek.  I hope your day is good and you get to put a needle to linen today.


More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher